Love note
Sir — Romeo and Juliet had to elope to avoid parental objection. But a real-life couple in India, Khan and Nisha, has perhaps been left dealing with a greater predicament than that of the literary star-crossed lovers. Facing an unwanted marriage and not being able to contact his girlfriend, Khan desperately scrawled a message on a 10-rupee note asking Nisha to meet him that night at a bus stop, hoping that it would find its way to her. It didn’t: instead, it went viral on social media with people saying that they have seen the note of love. Did someone say eloping has become easier with technology?
Devi Karmakar, Delhi
Deadly strike
Sir — The Israeli bombing of a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in the southern Gazan city of Rafah is disgraceful (“Israel used US-made bombs in strike that killed dozens near Rafah”, May 30). The Benjamin Netanyahu government has been defying the ruling by the International Court of Justice that ordered the cessation of Israeli military operation in Rafah.
Moreover, the ICJ’s ruling and the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu and the Israeli defence minister have proved to be toothless. World leaders must do more than impose sanctions to rein in a rogue Israel. India should join ranks with other nations to mediate between the warring sides.
K. Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
Sir — Israel’s continued attack on Gaza and its refusal to abide by the ICJ’s ruling have deepened its global isolation (“Many views”, May 27). There now seems to be a discernible split among the major Western powers regarding Israel’s war on Gaza — Norway, Spain and Ireland have recognised the Palestinian State. More countries are likely to follow suit.
The Benjamin Netanyahu-led dispensation’s relentless punishing of the Palestinian population in response to the October 7 carnage by Hamas is weakening Israel’s global standing and is bolstering support for Palestine.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Sir — The global condemnation of the Israeli bombing of a tent camp in Rafah prompted Benjamin Netanyahu to concede that the attack was a “tragic mistake” and initiate an investigation. But the Israeli offensive in Rafah has continued thereafter, killing dozens of Palestinians every day. Israel’s genocidal intent is evidenced by the fact that the strikes have been targeting designated ‘safe zones’.
The international peacekeeping bodies have proved ineffective in stopping Israel. Diplomatic censure has made no difference either. Yet, the Joe Biden-led administration in the United States of America is still transfering military aid to Israel based on the view that Israel has not crossed the red line. World leaders must intervene before the whole of Palestine’s population is wiped out.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Sir — It is heartening that Norway, Ireland and Spain have recognised the Palestinian State. This will mount pressure on Israel, which has shown utter disregard for international laws, and amplify the voices in favour of Palestinians.
Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta
Other voices
Sir — Books translated from various languages are getting international recognition. The International Booker Prize shortlist for 2024 was comprised entirely of translated works. The winning title, Kairos, was originally written in German. The Indian author, Geetanjali Shree, won the International Booker Prize in 2022 for her novel, Tomb of Sand, translated by Daisy Rockwell from Hindi. This augurs hope for translators and translation studies.
Haimanti Dutta Ray, Calcutta
